The U.S. Forest Service, Arizona Game and Fish and Tread Lightly! is hosting a cleanup event Saturday, January 17, 2015 along the Hewitt Station Road, east of the City of Apache Junction. The cleanup area is popular for target shooting and other recreation. Excessive trash and illegal dumping have prompted the need for the cleanup.

After a similar proposal died last year amid a contentious debate, Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, filed a bill Thursday that would allow Floridians to carry concealed weapons without licenses during times of mandatory emergency evacuations.

How can we get back to feeling safe about taking the kids to school, going about our work and meeting friends for a coffee?Islamic terrorists have demonstrated that they can attack anywhere, without any notice.

Jeff Preach was at home in Castaic, Calif. when a man knocked at his front door. Preach answered the door and had a brief conversation with the man before the stranger punched him in the face, went inside the house, and attempted to rob him. Preach tackled the intruder with the help of his friend Larry Bensell. Once Bensell had the criminal under control, Preach went to another part of the home and retrieved a shotgun. Preach proceeded to hold the thief at gunpoint until police could arrive. (KABC, Los Angeles, Calif. 01/05/15)

The new rules would require dealers to immediately notify state and local police if their security systems fail. If a system cannot be fixed within 24 hours, the dealer may move the guns to another licensed location with approval of the State Police.The proposal would require no guns or ammunition be stored at a location other than the licensed premises without permission from State Police. Also, dealers would have to report lost or stolen guns within 24 hours, down from the current 48 hours.

House Republicans prevailed in bringing their guns back to the House floor Wednesday, but failed in an attempt to bring back their old leader.Returning to a policy adopted the last time Republicans led the Legislature, House members voted, 228-149, to allow people to carry concealed weapons on the floor of the chamber. Democrats had banned the practice in 2013.

Over the next week, Governor Rick Snyder (R) has the opportunity to sign a bill that will benefit law-abiding gun owners across Michigan. Senate Bill 789, which passed the legislature by significant margins, seeks to create a more efficient and uniform concealed pistol licensing process for all Michiganders.

Today, the New York Legislature began its 2015 session. The NRA will continue this year to fight any attack against your Second Amendment rights while continuing to help advance pro-gun and pro-hunting reforms in Albany.

Today, the Missouri Legislature began its 2015 session. The NRA will continue this year to fight any attack against your Second Amendment rights while continuing to help advance pro-gun and pro-hunting reforms in Jefferson City.

Today, the Vermont General Assembly began its 2015 session. The NRA will continue this year to fight any attack against your Second Amendment rights while continuing to help advance pro-gun and pro-hunting reforms in Montpelier.

Today, the New Hampshire General Court began its 2015-2016 session. The NRA will continue this year to fight any attack against your Second Amendment rights while continuing to help advance pro-gun and pro-hunting reforms in Concord.

Today, the Massachusetts General Court began its 2015-2016 session. The NRA will continue this year to fight any attack against your Second Amendment rights while continuing to help advance pro-gun and pro-hunting reforms in Boston.

Today, the Colorado General Assembly began its 2015 session. The NRA will continue this year to fight any attack against your Second Amendment rights while continuing to help advance pro-gun and pro-hunting reforms in Denver.

Today, the Nebraska Legislature began its 2015 session. The NRA will continue this year to fight any attack against your Second Amendment rights while continuing to help advance pro-gun and pro-hunting reforms in Lincoln.

Today, the Connecticut General Assembly began its 2015 session. The NRA will continue this year to fight any attack against your Second Amendment rights while continuing to help advance pro-gun and pro-hunting reforms in Hartford.

Retired U.S. Customs agent Thomas Schenk returned to his home in Amboy, Wash. to find it ransacked. Schenk, a Right-to-Carry permit holder, drew a gun, searched the house, and found a man in his living room. The intruder spotted the Schenk, fled to a bedroom and pointed a gun at the former agent. A shootout ensued that eventually moved outside the home and prompted the criminal to flee. Police captured the thief several days later.
Following the incident, Schenk told a local media outlet, “I spent 25 years as a federal agent and had occasionally drawn my weapon under various circumstances, but never had to fire it… To have to fire in my own home, it was just hard to fathom.” Schenk added, “We all get lulled into a false sense of security and if nothing happens, that's great… But in the event something does occur, nowadays you can't trust that everything is going to be all right. I'm thankful I was able to refer to my training and keep a clear head.” (The Oregonian, Portland, Ore. 01/05/15)